JAMES THE SECOND.

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is a singular charm in such letters, penned by a man whose C “ I | P-irresistible energy and inflexible firmness extorted the respect icsTT -of his enemies, whose cold and ungracious demeanourrepelled the attachment of almost all his partisans, and whosemind was occupied by gigantic schemes which have changedthe face of the world.

His kindness was not misplaced. Bentinck was earlypronounced by Temple to be the best and truest servant thatever prince had the good fortune to possess, and continuedthrough life to merit that honourable character. The friendswere indeed made for each other. William wanted neither aguide nor a flatterer. Having a firm and just reliance on hisown judgment, he was not partial to counsellors who dealtmuch in suggestions and objections. At the same time he hadtoo much discernment, and too much elevation of mind, to begratified by sycophancy. The confidant of such a princeought to be a man, not of inventive genius or commandingspirit, but brave and faithful, capable of executing orderspunctually, of keeping secrets inviolably, of observing factsvigilantly, and of reporting them truly; and such a man wasBentinck.

William was not less fortunate in marriage than in friend- p r ’ r ,f,: BS5ship. Yet his marriage had not at first promised much ofdomestic happiness. His choice had been determined chiefly 0r ”“ ge ‘by political considerations: nor did it seem likely that anystrong affection would grow up between a handsome girl ofsixteen, well disposed indeed, and naturally intelligent, butignorant and simple, and a bridegroom who, though he hadnot completed his twenty-eighth year, was in constitutionolder than her father, whose manner was chilling, and whosehead was constantly occupied by public business or by fieldsports. For a time William was a negligent husband. Hewas indeed drawn away from his wife by other women, par-ticularly by one of her ladies, Elizabeth Villiers, who, thoughdestitute of personal attractions, and disfigured by a hideoussquint, possessed talents which well fitted her to partake hiscares. * He was indeed ashamed of his errors, and spared no* See Swift’s account of her in the Journal to Stella.